Portable chair



June 19, 1928.

G. NlTTl PORTABLE CHAIR Filed Jan. 19. 1925 2 Sheets-Sheet Snucniow I 1TL D June 19, 1928. 1,673,988 G. NITTI PORTABLE CHAIR Filed Jan. 19, 1925 Fi.g.E-.1.

2 Sheets-$heet 2 Patented June 19, 1928.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

PORTABLE CHAIR.

Application filed January 19, 1825. Serial No. 3,460

, The presentinvention relates to folding or collapsible structures, and more specifically to an improvedv folding chair or settee especially well adapted for use on camping or outing trips. u a

The primary object of the invention being to provide a structure of this character wherein when the same is in a folded or collapsed condition, the same will constitute a neat appearing suit case for permitting ofready transporting of the same.

A further object of the invention'is to provide a device of this character wherein when thedevice is unfolded for use, the same will present a neat and sturdy chair; and when folded for transportation purposes, a liberal compartn'ient is maintained for the carrying of food, clothing, etc. I i

{Other objects and. advantages of the in vention will be apparent during the course of the following detailed description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, forming apart of this specification, and in which drawings:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of, the device opened and setup for forming a chair.

. Figure 2 is a sectional viewtaken on line 2-2 of Figure 1, looking in the direction of the arrows. r

Figure 3 is an enlarged fragmentary section on line 3-3 of Figure 2, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 4 is a. fragmentary section on line 4-4 of Figure 2, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 5 is an enlarged fragmentary plan View showing the manner of detach-ably connecting the back supporting braces with the ends of the structure. I

, Figure 6 is a perspective view showing the structure in a practically folded position for transportation as a. suitcaseyand,

Figure 7 is an enlarged longitudinal section on line '7-7 Of Figure 6 looking in the direction of the arrows, and showing the device in a fully folded condition.

Referring to the drawings in detail, and wherein similar reference characters designate corresponding parts throughout the several views; the case comprises a seat portion A having collapsible supporting means ,B carried thereby; and a back portion C hingedly connected at one longitudinal edge of the seat portion A. V

The seat portion A which is preferably rectangular in shape, consists of end walls 10 and 11, front and rear walls 12am] 13.

gated compartments 16 extending throughout thelength of the seat portioinand into which compartn'ients the supporting means B are adapted to be folded when the structure is in a collapsed condition. These partitions form a liberal storage compartment 17 extendingthroughout the length of the seat portion for permitting of the carrying of food or clothing when desired. A tran versely extendingpartition wall 18 pref ei ably disposed intern'iediate the ends of the seat portion for dividing the con'ipartn'ient 17, and also acting as a reinforcing element for the seat 14 as when tliefdevicc is being used as a chair. This partition wall 18 is preferably of a reduced dimension where it passes through the comlntrtnients 16 for pern'iit-ting of the ready folding of the sup porting means 8 into the compartments. Hingedly connected to one of the partition walls 15 as by hinges 19. is a.cover 20which is adaptedto merely overlie. the compartment 17 and form a closure for the same. for permitting of carrying variousarticles in the compartn'ient, and retaining the articles in the compartment when thedevice is being used asa chair. i i i.

Secured at each end of the compartments 16, are reinforcing blocks 21,.and to each of which are hingedly connected'as by hinges 22. supporting legs 23 having flat end faces 24 which are adapted to move nto abutting relation with the free ends of-fthe rein'i'forc- 111g blocks2l when the legs are swung to an open position, thus preventing further outward movement of the legs. Pivotally connected to the inner face of the front and rear walls 12 and 13 respectively, and adj a cent each of the blocks 21, are braces 25 which are adapted for swingingmovement longitudinally within the compartments 16. The free ends of these braces 25, which are preferably cut at an angle, are provided with longitudinally extending slots 26' which are adapted to receivelocking pins 27 carried by each of the legs 23. Thesepins 27 which are substantially fiat, are provided with transversely extending head portions which are adapted to be turned transversely of the slots 26 for retaining the braces in operative relation to the legs when the legs are swung to an open position.

Referring now to the back portion C which is of a shape to correspond with the seat portion A, the same includes end walls 28, top and bottom walls 29 and 30 respectively, and a side wall 31 which forms a back for the device when opened to form a chair. This back portion C has its bottom wall 30 coimected to the rear wall 13 of the seat portion A at a point intermediate the upper and lower edges of the rear wall, by means of double acting flap hinges 32 for permitting of the back portion being swung into substantially right angular relation to the seat 14 when the device is opened to provide a chair. Detachable back supporting braces 33 which are adapted to be retained in the back portion 0 as by spring clamps 34', have provided adjacent each of their end portions, longitudinally extending keyways 35 which are adapted to receive keys 36 extending outwardly from each end wall of the seat and back portions. These keys 36 are also provided with flattened head portions which are to" be turned transversally of the keyways 35 for retaining the braces in an adjusted position. If desired, a small chain 37 may be employed for preventing the braces 33 from becoming lost.

A suitable lock 38 may be provided for retaining the seat and back portions in a closed position, and a handle 39 attached to the front wall 12 for permitting of ready and easy transporting of the structure when in a collapsed condition.

From the foregoing description of this invention it will be apparent that a novel and etlicient device of the described character has been provided which embodies novel col-- lapsing features, and which when in a collapsed condition, forms a neat appearing suitcase having a liberal compartment for the transportation of articles of various de- Scriptions.

Various changes may be made to the specific form of the invention herein shown and described, without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the following claims.

I claim:

1. A portable chair comprising an open sided seat portion including end walls, front and rear walls, and a side wall forming a seat, partition walls supported longitudinally inwardly of the end, front and rear walls of said seat portion and forming elongated comparti'nents adjacent each front and rear wall and a spacious storage compartment between the elongated compartments, a cover for the storage compartment hingedly connected at one edge to one of said partition walls, supporting means for the seat portion foldable into said elongated compartments, and a back portion hingedly connected to the rear Wall of the seat portion and foldable over the open side of the seat portion to serve as a closure therefor and to conceal the supporting means when the chair is in a folded position.

2. A portable chair comprising an open sided major portion including end walls, front and rear walls, and a side wall form ing a seat, collapsible supporting means for the major portion including legs hingcdly connected to the end walls at the free edges thereof and braces pivotally mounted on each front and rear wall adjacent each leg and having their free ends adapted for detachablc connection with their respective legs, and a minor portion acting as a back for the chair and movable to a closing position over the open side of the major portion for concealing the Supportingmeans when in a collapsed condition.

3. A portable chair comprising an open sided major portion including end walls, front and rear walls, and a side wall forming a seat, legs hingedly connected to each corner of the major portion at the open side thereof and foldable into the major poi tion, braces pivotally mounted on each front and rear wall adjacent each leg and having slotted free ends, keys rotatably carried by each leg and including heads movable transversely of the brace slots for detachable connection of the braces at their free ends with said supporting legs, a minor portion acting as a back for the chair and movable to a c l9sing position over the open side of the major portion for concealing the supporting means when in a collapsed position, and back su 'iporting'braces detacl ably associated with the end walls of the. major portion and end edges of the minor portion for retaining the minor jwrtion in a position to act as aback for the major portion.

GIACOMO NITTI.

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